US President Donald Trump has signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum authorising federal law enforcement agencies to use cyber capabilities to disrupt transnational criminal organisations (TCOs) operating overseas and targeting Americans.
The White House said the initiative is intended to address criminal campaigns including ransomware, phishing, financial fraud, sextortion, and impersonation scams.
The memorandum directs the Homeland Security Task Force’s National Coordination Center (NCC) to establish a programme for conducting targeted cyber operations against foreign-based criminal groups.
The programme will be jointly led by executive directors from the US Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.
Under the new framework, the NCC will work with private-sector companies to identify threats and develop cyber operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks.
Participating companies will be able to enter agreements with other private organisations and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies to gather intelligence on TCO activity and propose operations. However, the operations will remain under the direction, control, and authority of the US government.
According to figures cited by the White House, US consumers reported more than $20.8 billion in losses from cyber-enabled crime during 2025.
The White House added that 73 per cent of US adults have experienced an online scam or attack, while 98 per cent believe scams pose a threat to people in the US.
The administration argued that many of these attacks are organised by sophisticated criminal groups operating outside US jurisdiction, creating challenges for domestic law enforcement.
The move follows a series of measures by the Trump administration targeting cybercrime and online exploitation.
In March 2026, Trump signed an executive order focused on combating cybercrime, fraud and predatory schemes targeting US families, businesses, and critical infrastructure. The administration also issued measures covering national security systems and cybersecurity, as well as guidance for financial institutions on financially motivated sextortion.
The White House said the latest memorandum is intended to close gaps in coordination and give the US government additional tools to disrupt foreign criminal networks targeting Americans.
